Controlling device for vapor apparatus.



P. H. THOMAS.

CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR VAPOR APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED APB.H,1904.

1,1 10,585, Patented Sept. 15, 191&

2 m, HJAZ, 35 M (iltto'm wi3 wan m aw'ue wto r tratc ditl'c cnt enibodinu-nts ol' the principle of the pr t in rcntion.

lo the fir t figure of the drawing 1 is the container ot a vapor apparatus having :1 main positive electrod 2, and a negative clcctnidc. 13. The former may he of iron and. the latter of mercury, subject, however, to the suhstitution of other materials for those named. Learhwircs, 4 and 5, connect ed with the rrspcctivc electrodes named and series resistances, t3 and 7, may be connected with the first named lead-wire and an inductance, with the second named lead wire, the formed serving as stcadying resist.- ances for the apparatus and the latter serving to prevent sudden cl'ianges of current conditions in the circuit.

Notwithstanding the presence of the protective devices named, it is found that. such changes of voltage may take place in the circuit will make too great demands upon the "apor apparatus thus far described. and I. therefore, provide a supplemental positive electrode, 9, which. as shown in Fig. 1, is located nearer the negative electrode #5 than the main positive electrode 2 is located. Into the circuit between the main conduct r. 10. and the supplemental electrode 9, I introduce a resistance 11, which may he of relatively large resistance providing for the maintenance of the current flow through the shorter oath between the electrodes 9 and 3 under xtreme conditions of commercial SOTlCO.

When the apparatus is in operation, the main portion of the current flows between the electrodes 2 and 3, a comparatively small flow of current takinq place between the electrodes 9 and I Hionld, now, a large drop of voltage take place suddenly in the circuit including tlu: vapor appa rains, such a drop, for example, as would rdinarily cause the 'z'ipparatus to cease to operate. the main current helnecn the cloctrodes 2 and 2'; will be cut il. but current will continue to low hctwc-m the electrodes 1) and 3. In this way the a 'iparatus will be kept alive until, on the restoration of normal conditions of current in the circuit. the flow is restored through the entire length at the vapor path.

The described restoratiun of the cu rent flow may he facilitated by the employment at a construction such as illustratrd in Fig, 3 where the part, 12, which may be regarded as the supplemental positive electrodc, is comu-ctcd t the main electrode l by conductor 13 of considerable resistance. llcrcthe di;-:.ril.-ution of the current under normal conditions ol' operation is similar to thin which exists in the arraugi'tineut shown in Fig. It the main current passing brturnn the clrr-trrdra 2 and 3 and a smaller current priming laetwccn the electrodes 19 and 23. .Vlun the main current is cut off, saw by an excessive drop of voltage, the llriv will take pla e between the last named pair of electrodes, while on the restoration of normal voltage, the main current will pass hack t'ri m the electrode 12 to the electrode 2, whereupon the apparatus will 0perate as originally described.

it may at times he advantageous to use two or more supplcn'iental electrodes, as shown in Fig. 3, at 14 and l5, where the resistance 11 and 11" correspond to the resistance 11 of Fig. 1, and the resistances 6 and to the resistances 6 and 10 of Fig. 1. On the occurrence of an abnormal drop of voltage, the current will take the path b st suited to it and pass either wholly between the elec trodes 15 and 3 or partly between that pair of electrodes and partly between the pair of electrodes constituted by the electrodes 14 and 3.

In a divisional application filed on the 16th day of June, 1905. Serial Number 265,502, claims are made upon certain methhds of operation disclosed in the present application: and in another divisional application filed July 16. 1907, Serial Numher 384.106, claims are made upon certain features of the apparatus disclosed herein.

1 claim as my invention 1. In a vapor electric apparatus having the main negative and the main positive electrode and circuit connections to the members of said pair, a plurality of supplemental positive electrodes lo ated adjacent to the light-giving path between the members of the pair and adapted to be connected to the main circuit by shunts containing resistance.

2, Tu a vapor electric apparatus hiring a pair of electrodes and circuit connections to the members of said pair, a plurality of supplemental electrodes located adjacent to the light giving path between the members of the pair and connected to the main circuit bv shunts containing resistan e, togcthcr with a common resistan e traversed by current. to any of the positive electrodes.

ln a vapor electric apparatus having a pair of electrodes and circuit connections to the member of said pair. a plurality of siuiplcmental electrodes located adja ent to the light-giving path between the m mbers of the pair and connected to the main circuit by shunts coi'itaiuing r:s""ancr-.

4. In a vapor electric apparatus having a pair of electrodes and circuit r ni; to the members of said pair, a pin supplemental electrodes located a l" "'n cirtoh'ad to one (if the pair and eonnoctciil to thc cuit hy shunts containing r: getht-r with a res Lance in the of the main electrodes.

5. In a vapor electric apparatus having a Signed at New York, in the county of pair of electrodes and circuit connections to New York, and State of New York, this the members of said pair, a plurality of sup- 6th day of April A. D. 1904.

l plemental electrodes located adjacent to the l PERCY H. THOMAS. 5 light giving path between the members of lVitnesses:

the pair and connected to the main circuit \VM. H. ()APEL.

through resistance. GEORGE H. STOCKBRIDGE. 

